Odisha asks Centre to upgrade BPNIS

Odisha government today asked the Union Steel Minister to upgrade the Biju Patnaik National Institute of Steel (BPNIS) into the centre of excellence matching IIT standards to impart teaching and aid research in the steel and allied sectors.

The state's demand was put forth by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik when Union Steel Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh met him at the secretariat here.

Patnaik said though the BPNIS was set up in 2002 and offering different certificate course, it has not reached the desired level.

Patnaik during the discussion pointed out that the Union Cabinet in 2004 had decided to upgrade the BPNIS into a full fledged institute of national standard to offer B Tech, M Tech and PhD. However, Patnaik said the decision was yet to implemented.

He urged the Union Steel Minister to take up the matter and upgrade the BSNIS into a reputed institute on the lines of IITs.

Official sources said that then it was proposed that the Union Steel ministry and the state government will share the cost of the project, estimated at Rs 1,170 crore. The state government was supposed to provide Rs 300 crore for the project.

This apart, public sector industries and private steel companies were also expected to collaborate in developing the institute.

During the discussion, Patnaik also urged the Union minister to set up a cement plant in Sundergarh district where the SAIL has been alloted a 230 hectare lime stone and dolomite mines. However, SAIL has stopped the mines since March 2003. Patnaik urged the Union Minister to take steps to activate the mining activities soon.

Singh reportedly assured the state government to take up the matter seriously, a statement released by the chief minister's office said.